Glenn Beck and Premiere Networks finalized a long-term contract extension on Monday, linking one of the nation's most popular radio programs with a syndication giant.

The new deal between Beck's Mercury Radio Arts and Premiere, a subsidiary of Clear Channel, ensures Premiere will syndicate "The Glenn Beck Program" for five more years. Reports value the contract at $100 million - double his prior deal. It covers not just "The Glenn Beck Program," but Beck's assorted digital businesses as well.

Beck left Fox News last year and carried his devoted cadre of fans to the internet, launching GBTV, an online streaming network. That complements other Mercury Radio Arts properties like TheBlaze.com, e-commerce site Markdown.com and GlennBeck.com. Premiere will sell advertising for those ventures.

Ratings for Beck's radio show have grown nearly 50 percent over the last five years, and in its 10th year with Premiere it is typically the third highest-rated show in talk radio behind Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. Premiere carries both of their shows as well.

Carried by more than 400 stations, Beck's show airs from 9 a.m. to noon in most markets. "Simply put, Premiere is the best in the business," Beck said in a statement. "Over the past 10 years, they have proven to be a true partner in every sense of the word."

In moving online, Beck bet his personal brand was strong enough to survive without the promotional force of a television network. Though GBTV has a much smaller audience than Beck's television show - or his radio show - it is often cited as an example of a new media success story.

Back in March, the Wall Street Journal reported that the network would hit $40 million in revenue this year thanks to subscriptions and advertisements.

“Mr. Becks show entered national syndication via Premiere, a unit of Clear Channel, 10 years ago. Now carried by more than 400 stations, the show typically ranks No. 3 among all news-talk radio shows, behind Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, so the contract extension brings a measure of stability to local stations that carry it.

The show is broadcast from 9 a.m. until noon in most markets. Last week, another host in the time period, Neal Boortz, announced that he would retire in January. Herman Cain, the former Republican presidential candidate and businessman, will start hosting a show in Mr. Boortzs place.”

I absolutely don’t understand the appeal of Glenn Beck but I especially don’t understand why the network values him so highly. I’ve never heard him utter a single original thought that hadn’t been stated by Rush or Levin or even Hannity much earlier. I’ve seen/heard him express utter emotional gaganess over something that he, apparently, just began to understand, but I’ve never discerned a single piece of original insight from him. He’s the very definition of what Levin would call a “back bencher” (except for his salary)

Could anyone be kind enough to explain if this is pay-per-listen radio, or if the show is carried by regular radio (free) networks?

If so, how do we find out if it is in our area? I have no complaints whatsoever about Glenn's show, and I learned a lot watching his old TV show. And I will put my grasp of history, philosophy and ethics against anyone.

I have been a Catholic all my life and the absolute hissy fits that many here have about the Mormons is perplexing, They must all have a terminal insecurity if their faith or atheism are threatened. I never, ever felt proselytized watching the Glenn Beck show. I do feel attacked by the knee jerk hatred of people who neither watch his TV programs or listen to his radio programs.

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